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The Best Laptops for 2024

Whether you want a simple budget PC, a productivity workhorse, or a screamer of a gaming notebook, our deep-dive guide has all the advice you need, along with our top product picks in every major laptop category.

By Tom Brant
Updated February 28, 2024

Our Top 15 Picks

HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2023, AMD)

Best Laptop for Most Buyers
Jump To Details

Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Best MacBook for Most Buyers
Jump To Details

Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)

Best Budget Laptop
Jump To Details

Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420)

Best Ultraportable Laptop
Jump To Details

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

Best Chromebook
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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (2023)

Best Business Laptop
Jump To Details

Dell XPS 15 (9530) (2023)

Best Desktop Replacement Laptop
Jump To Details

Apple MacBook Pro 16-Inch (2023, M3 Max)

Best Desktop Replacement MacBook
Jump To Details

HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)

Best Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop
Jump To Details

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel)

Best Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop
Jump To Details

Gigabyte Aorus 15 BMF

Best Budget Gaming Laptop
Jump To Details

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8

Best High-End Gaming Laptop
Jump To Details

Dell Precision 5680

Best Workstation Laptop
Jump To Details

Panasonic Toughbook 40

Best Rugged Laptop
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Framework Laptop 13 (2023)

Best Repairable and Upgradable Laptop
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The Best Laptop Deals This Week*

*Deals are selected by our commerce team

A laptop won’t revolutionize the minutiae of your life the way a smartphone can. You can’t easily whip one out to kill time in the elevator, capture a breathtaking sunset, or pay for a cup of coffee. 

But in the years since smartphones took on all these jobs, laptops have honed their own talents. Amazing battery life and breathtaking screens are now common if you look in the right place for them. The graphics muscle to play games at full HD is affordable. And those basic old-guard features that you won’t find on any mobile device, such as touchpads and full-size keyboards, tend to get better with almost every generation.

With great features, though, has come great fragmentation. Amazon, Newegg, and even your local electronics mega mart have a dizzying array of cheap laptops, gaming laptops, 2-in-1 laptops, Chromebooks, and ultraportables. (Laptops for college students have even evolved as a subcategory all its own.) Here at PC Labs, we review as many laptops as we can—hundreds each year—so we’ve seen pretty much every remix of laptop you can buy. Our top picks for the best laptops in 2024 are below, followed by a detailed buying guide that will tell you everything you need to know about how to buy your next laptop this year.

Our Experts Have Tested 125 Products in the Laptops Category in the Past Year
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.

HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2023, AMD)

Best Laptop for Most Buyers

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The updated, AMD-powered take on HP's Pavilion Plus 14 is just as worthy of your consideration as last year's Intel variety, with a dashing display and sharp webcam, lots of ports, speedy performance, and lengthy battery life in a 3-pound package. (Oh, and that screen also comes rocking stunning OLED technology for top-notch color and contrast.) Providing all of this for a decent price that's often reduced on sale earns the HP Pavilion Plus 14 its spot back atop our rankings of the best overall laptops for general use.

Who It's For

If you can nab one on a special or a deal, you'll score one of the top productivity partners you can bring to school or work, with punchy performance and a gorgeous screen for all sorts of work and play. Let the Pavilion Plus 14 be your first stop if you need something that's both powerful and feature-rich (and well-made, too) without costing a mint.

PROS

  • Superb OLED screen
  • High-res enhanced webcam
  • Even base models have 16GB RAM

CONS

  • A little pricey when not on sale
  • Lackluster touchpad
  • No SD or microSD card slot

SPECS

Laptop Class Ultraportable
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7840U
Processor Speed 3.3 GHz
RAM (as Tested) 16 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 14 inches
Native Display Resolution 2880 by 1800
Touch Screen
Panel Technology OLED
Variable Refresh Support FreeSync
Screen Refresh Rate 120 Hz
Graphics Processor AMD Radeon 780M Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E
Dimensions (HWD) 0.74 by 12.4 by 8.9 inches
Weight 3.04 lbs
Operating System Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 14:16

Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Best MacBook for Most Buyers

4.5 Outstanding

Why We Picked It

The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) infuses the groundbreaking ultraportable Air design with the performance and battery-life enhancements of Apple’s M2 chip, all in a super-slim aluminum chassis that weighs less than 3 pounds. The 13-inch Retina display looks great, the keyboard and trackpad are solid, and Touch ID offers seamless, convenient security for Apple’s most affordable Mac laptop.

Apple’s M2 chip has plenty of things going for it, with ample performance for everyday use and even some media editing, but it does so while sipping power and running silently—there are no noisy fans in the Air, and the performance is still top-notch. The M2 Air offers great capabilities and decent battery life, making it the go-to choice for Apple fans and Windows refugees alike.

Who It's For

If you’re an Apple die-hard, or even just ambivalent towards Windows, then the M2 Apple MacBook Air is the general-use laptop we recommend. But it's not the cheapest Mac laptop; that would be the M1 version of the MacBook Air, which starts at $999 and might be a better choice if you prioritize saving money over the additional benefits that the M2 provides.

PROS

  • Stunning, slim design
  • Larger, more vibrant 13.6-inch display
  • Multiple color options
  • M2 chip delivers excellent performance

CONS

  • Shorter battery life than 2020 M1 MacBook Air
  • Camera notch encroaches on display panel
  • Limited to two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports (though mitigated, in part, by MagSafe connector)

SPECS

Laptop Class Ultraportable
Processor Apple M2
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 16 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 13.6 inches
Native Display Resolution 2560 by 1664
Touch Screen
Panel Technology IPS
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Graphics Processor Apple M2
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD) 0.44 by 11.97 by 8.46 inches
Weight 2.7 lbs
Operating System Apple macOS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 12:55

Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)

Best Budget Laptop

3.5 Good

Why We Picked It

If you're tight on cash but need a reliable laptop, consider this lower-power machine from Acer. This 15.6-inch laptop works through basic web browsing and light work tasks with relative ease. While it has a plain design true to its price, this laptop's battery runs for hours with its power-sipping processor. When strapped by a budget, focus on finding a laptop that nails the basics for as little cash as possible. Right now, this Acer Aspire will do just that.

Who It’s For

For those particularly hard-up to spend more than $500 on a laptop, Acer has an option for you in the latest 15.6-inch Aspire 3. It's a smooth daily operator with lengthy battery life to get you through a whole day of work or classes. Of course, expect limited performance doing anything beyond basic web browsing and office suite tasks, but that's all you're here for anyway.

PROS

  • Smooth everyday operation
  • Extensive battery life
  • Current Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Competitive starting price

CONS

  • Limited performance headroom
  • Dated, somewhat flimsy design
  • Lackluster display
  • Top configuration is outclassed

SPECS

Laptop Class Budget
Processor AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
Processor Speed 2.4 GHz
RAM (as Tested) 8 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 128 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology IPS
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Graphics Processor AMD Radeon Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD) 0.75 by 14.3 by 9.4 inches
Weight 3.77 lbs
Operating System Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 16:46

Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420)

Best Ultraportable Laptop

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Since ultraportable laptops can cover a spectrum of budgets, the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420) is the best ultraportable for most people, thanks to its just-below $1,000 price for snappy performance and a vibrant, 120Hz OLED touch screen. While you don't get the discrete GPU found in the pricier UX3404 model, you get just about everything else along with the long battery life found even in that higher-end model. All told it's a generally fantastic everyday laptop for anyone with about a grand to spend.

Who It's For

If you have a decent budget for a premium laptop of around $1,000 but don't want to go too far beyond that, then the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420) is the ideal Windows 11 option. Compared with the discrete GPU-equipped UX3404 option, this one has a slightly lesser CPU and half as much storage, but they're enough for tasks of basic to medium intensity, like word processing, high-resolution video streaming, and photo editing.

PROS

  • Snappy 13th Gen Core i7 CPU
  • Attractive price
  • Super-slim, premium design
  • Vibrant 120Hz OLED touch screen
  • Long battery life
  • Decent port selection for its size

CONS

  • Lacks discrete GPU found in alternative 14X model
  • Only a 512GB SSD

SPECS

Laptop Class Ultraportable
Processor Intel Core i7-13700H
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 16 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 14.5 inches
Native Display Resolution 2880 by 1800
Touch Screen
Panel Technology OLED
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 120 Hz
Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD) 0.67 by 12.7 by 8.9 inches
Weight 3.44 lbs
Operating System Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 11:45

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

Best Chromebook

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 shows that budget-friendly Chromebooks can be an incredible value through Google's new Chromebook Plus initiative, with even faster performance and even better features for excellent sub-$500 prices. Equipped with a crisp 1080p display, a decent array of ports, and current Wi-Fi capabilities—all within a MIL-SPEC-certified frame—this the first Chromebook we'd currently recommend to almost anyone interested.

Who It's For

Budget sensibility is in the spirit of the Chromebook category already, and this Asus model has revived that essence with a compelling collection of features and performance capabilities inside an affordable and reliably built package. If you're looking to a Chromebook to save as much money and compromise as little as possible, start your search with the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34.

PROS

  • Affordable price even with improved specs
  • Leading performance in every test
  • High-quality FHD display
  • Decent port array, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2
  • Durable MIL-SPEC-certified design and antimicrobial coating

CONS

  • Average battery life
  • No touch capability (at this price)
  • Limited UFS storage is just adequate

SPECS

Laptop Class Chromebook, Budget
Processor Intel Core i3-1215U
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 8 GB
Boot Drive Type UFS (Universal Flash Storage)
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 128 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 14 inches
Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology IPS
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Graphics Processor Intel UHD Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD) 0.73 by 12.9 by 8.4 inches
Weight 3.17 lbs
Operating System Chrome OS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 12:46

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (2023)

Best Business Laptop

5.0 Exemplary

Why We Picked It

Lenovo continues its reign as the business-laptop king with its ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11, earning a second straight five-star score and another Editors' Choice award in the category. In fact, this is the first laptop line we've reviewed to accomplish those back-to-back "Exemplary" ratings. This year, that's largely thanks to Lenovo incorporating the latest Intel mobile silicon and supporting hardware into an expertly designed frame with a trademark excellent ThinkPad keyboard. With this laptop, Lenovo didn't have to change much, but it tweaked just the right amount to maintain its top-tier status.

Who It's For

If you're a corporate or medium-business manager, or you're buying for a firm, other ThinkPad models will likely suffice for the bulk of users. But you'll want to start your search for your step-above, exec-level work laptops with this one. The X1 Carbon is no power-user workstation, but if the tasks on the menu include correspondence, presentation building, and spreadsheet crunching, and the machine will often be on the move, most any exec would thrill to one. It's fast, well-connected, and designed to last.

PROS

  • Decent performance and long battery life
  • World-class keyboard
  • Slim and light, yet plenty of ports
  • Handsome 16:10 aspect ratio display

CONS

  • No SD or microSD card slot
  • Premium price
  • 4K screen options gone

SPECS

Laptop Class Business, Ultraportable
Processor Intel Core i7-1355U
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 16 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 14 inches
Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1200
Touch Screen
Panel Technology IPS
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
Dimensions (HWD) 0.6 by 12.4 by 8.8 inches
Weight 2.48 lbs
Operating System Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 12:50

Dell XPS 15 (9530) (2023)

Best Desktop Replacement Laptop

4.5 Outstanding

Why We Picked It

While we said no laptop is perfect last year, the 2023 Dell XPS 15 9530 inches that much closer to the goal, once again earning our Editors' Choice award for desktop replacement laptops. The XPS 15 is not designed as a gaming machine, but the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics chip driving the 4K OLED display will certainly play just about any title, and well. What's more important is that this updated classic is ready for just about any content creation or general productivity task you throw at it, and it's ready to kick back at night, which is everything we're looking for in this category.

Who It's For

If you need high-end silicon for multimedia editing work or heavy data manipulation, you'll find the latest Dell XPS 15 able to get it all done and then some. Plus, this year's model upholds Dell's reputation for long battery life, lasting well past half a day. Of course, Dell hopes the 4K OLED touch screen will be a draw (and it is); it still aces both the sRGB and DCI-P3 gamuts and produces leading brightness. For the visually focused, whether for work or play, this laptop will please.

PROS

  • Faster performance than ever
  • GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs
  • Brilliant OLED touch screen
  • Premium build quality
  • Long battery life

CONS

  • Limited graphics performance ceiling
  • Still has 720p webcam
  • USB-C ports only (adapter included)

SPECS

Laptop Class Desktop Replacement
Processor Intel Core i7-13700H
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 32 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution 3456 by 2160
Touch Screen
Panel Technology OLED
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Graphics Processor Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory 8 GB
Wireless Networking 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD) 0.71 by 13.6 by 9.1 inches
Weight 4.2 lbs
Operating System Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 14:03
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Apple MacBook Pro 16-Inch (2023, M3 Max)

Best Desktop Replacement MacBook

4.5 Outstanding

Why We Picked It

Not even a full year later, Apple has updated its leading desktop replacement MacBook with new silicon. This is the new 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max, Apple's most powerful and most efficient laptop processor yet. With a maximum of 40 GPU cores, the M3 Max takes the MacBook Pro to new performance heights in both creative endeavors and gaming, not to mention loads of other intense work applications. It does all this with class-leading battery life and one of the best laptop displays available—period—earning its place in our roundup handily.

Who It's For

If you need a MacBook Pro for power and power alone, this is your ticket there. Apple designed the M series of processors to produce the same level of performance at full load regardless of whether the system is on battery, so the MacBook Pro is particularly useful for truly mobile professionals. Couple that with its unmatched efficiency, and you have the ultimate Mac on your desk and in your lap.

PROS

  • Fiery M3 Max processor
  • Beautiful Liquid Retina XDR display
  • Ample configuration options
  • Abundant ports and connectivity
  • Superb battery life

CONS

  • Expensive, particularly for higher configurations
  • Inconsistent GPU performance in testing
  • No touch screen

SPECS

Laptop Class Workstation, Desktop Replacement
Processor Apple M3 Max
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 128 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 8 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 16.2 inches
Native Display Resolution 3456 by 2234
Touch Screen
Panel Technology Mini LED
Variable Refresh Support ProMotion
Screen Refresh Rate 120 Hz
Graphics Processor Apple M3 Max (40-core GPU)
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD) 0.66 by 14 by 9.8 inches
Weight 4.8 lbs
Operating System Apple macOS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 27:53

HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)

Best Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

While it could be a few hundred bucks less, we love HP’s new Spectre x360 14, one of the first 2-in-1 laptops we’ve tested with one of Intel’s new AI-enabled Core Ultra processors. Starting at $1,500, this pricey option is made a bit more whole with some included accessories, but it’s the speedy performance and lengthy battery life that seal the deal. We also appreciate the laptop’s world-class webcam. If you’re a fan of 2-in-1 laptops, you’ll dig HP’s take on what an elite hybrid can look and feel like.

Who It’s For

Well-to-do fans of convertible laptops should start their next laptop search with the HP Spectre x360 14. In addition to more power than ever and a lengthy battery, this laptop oozes cool and luxurious feels. If you're looking for a laptop that will add to your style while working on the go as well as elevate your Netflix game, then consider HP—after all, it was the Readers' Choice brand for 2-in-1 laptops in 2023.

PROS

  • Gorgeous OLED touch screen
  • Impressive productivity performance
  • Lengthy battery life
  • Elegant design
  • World-class webcam

CONS

  • Expensive when fully loaded
  • No SD/microSD card slot or cellular internet
  • No HDMI port (two USB-C docks included)
  • No internal pen storage

SPECS

Laptop Class Convertible 2-in-1, Ultraportable
Processor Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 32 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 2 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 14 inches
Native Display Resolution 2880 by 1800
Touch Screen
Panel Technology OLED
Variable Refresh Support Dynamic
Screen Refresh Rate 120 Hz
Graphics Processor Intel Arc Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD) 0.67 by 12.4 by 8.7 inches
Weight 3.19 lbs
Operating System Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 18:03
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Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel)

Best Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

We largely have Microsoft to thank for the current design of detachable 2-in-1 Windows tablets, and the company continues to lead in this category with the Surface Pro 9. Focused here on the Intel variety, this update largely improves on its internal components with more current and faster hardware. We generally recommend the 12th Gen Intel version over the ARM version of the Surface Pro 9 for its increased power and broader compatibility with all Windows apps.

However, the ARM version, using Microsoft and Qualcomm’s SQ3 system-on-a-chip processor, does provide really long battery life and 5G mobile broadband connectivity. While that wasn’t enough to win us over in our review, features like that might be just what you need. We’re also bummed to see the headphone jack disappear for seemingly no good reason. Despite all that, the Surface Pro 9 is still tops in its category, with an excellent premium design, impressive performance, and a bevy of fantastic accessories.

Who It’s For

If you’re a fan of Microsoft’s 2-in-1 design and haven’t upgraded in a while, this latest version should serve you well. And, if you’re a mobile professional looking for a portable record-keeping, statement-making, emailing, and (or) mobile drafting device, the Surface Pro 9 is the 2-in-1 laptop to get.

PROS

  • Impressive performance and battery life
  • Outstanding cameras
  • Sleek design, with inking-friendly 3:2 screen
  • Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
  • User-upgradable storage

CONS

  • Essential accessories still not included
  • No more headphone jack
  • 5G only available with SQ3 processor
  • High starting price

SPECS

Laptop Class Detachable 2-in-1
Processor Intel Core i7-1255U
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 16 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 256 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 13 inches
Native Display Resolution 2880 by 1920
Touch Screen
Panel Technology IPS
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 120 Hz
Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD) 0.37 by 11.3 by 8.2 inches
Weight 1.9 lbs
Operating System Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 13:12

Gigabyte Aorus 15 BMF

Best Budget Gaming Laptop

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

When it comes to affordable gaming laptops, compromises are always expected. What truly matters is which compromises are made and which factors survive that process, and Gigabyte demonstrates it understands this fact with the Aorus 15 BMF. This is a budget gaming laptop that betrays the stereotypes with an aluminum shell, competitive performance, a fantastic keyboard, and more excellent features for under $1,000.

Who It's For

If you cannot or will not spend more than $1,000 on a gaming laptop, then the Gigabyte Aorus 15 BMF is the best choice in 2023. This gaming laptop brings as much quality as possible to gamers at a price that's frequently on sale for under $900. Not only is this the best affordable laptop for gaming but, with more than 7 hours of battery life and a decent keyboard for typing, it's a fantastic general use laptop as well.

PROS

  • Sturdy, elegant construction
  • On-point performance for the price
  • Commendable keyboard
  • Plenty of ports
  • Rare 1080p webcam
  • Sufficient battery life

CONS

  • Merely average display
  • RTX 4050 is outmatched by the RTX 3060
  • Hit-or-miss touchpad

SPECS

Laptop Class Gaming
Processor Intel Core i5-13500H
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 8 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology IPS
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 144 Hz
Graphics Processor Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory 6 GB
Wireless Networking Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E
Dimensions (HWD) 0.82 by 14.2 by 10.7 inches
Weight 5.25 lbs
Operating System Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 7:10

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8

Best High-End Gaming Laptop

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Gaming laptops used to largely have 15.6-inch displays, but that's rapidly changing to slightly taller 16-inch screens. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 has a particularly gorgeous display, with high resolution and a super-fast 240Hz refresh rate. The rest of this pro-grade Legion is equally impressive, with a top-end Intel Core i9 CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics. It's among the fastest gaming laptops we've tested, delivering well-future-proofed gaming performance for its price. (The model we tested rang up at $2,749, and the base model starts at $2,299.)

Who It’s For

If you want a gaming laptop that doesn’t give away its position, so to speak, this is the one for you. This Legion also looks more executive than garish gaming rigs, with a slick all-black design and plenty of ports, as well as Lenovo’s trademark comfortable keyboard. While it lacks battery life and can get a little noisy under load, the Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 is the best 16-inch gaming laptop we’ve tested.

PROS

  • Bright and colorful 240Hz display
  • Comfortable keyboard with RGB extras
  • Generous port selection
  • Full HD webcam with extra features
  • Relatively affordable in its category
  • Subtle design avoids gamer stereotypes

CONS

  • Noisy fans under heavy load
  • Lacking in battery life

SPECS

Laptop Class Gaming
Processor Intel Core i9-13900HX
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 32 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 16 inches
Native Display Resolution 2560 by 1600
Touch Screen
Panel Technology IPS
Variable Refresh Support G-Sync
Screen Refresh Rate 240 Hz
Graphics Processor Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory 12 GB
Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
Dimensions (HWD) 1 by 14.3 by 10.3 inches
Weight 6.1 pounds
Operating System Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 6:13

Dell Precision 5680

Best Workstation Laptop

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Dell's Precision 5680 workstation is zoom-zoom ordered to go, an expensive powerhouse that's every bit the equal to the previous holder of this title. Whereas most mobile workstations seem to forget the whole "mobile" part, Dell remembers: The Precision 5680 weighs just 4.46 pounds and measures well under an inch thin, all while rivaling the best mobile workstations we've tested in performance while keeping pace well beyond a workday on its battery.

Who It's For

If you often commute to work with your high-power data-cruncher in tow, lugging more than 6 pounds of desk job muscle, then the Dell Precision 5680 was made for you. Weighing way less than most comparable workstations without losing out on performance, the Precision 5680 will get the job done just as fast for you while saving your back on that train ride to and fro. The laptop also drives a 16-inch 4K OLED display with excellent color coverage for visually-demanding workloads.

PROS

  • Blazing CPU and GPU performance
  • Beautiful 4K OLED touch screen
  • Decent battery life
  • Relatively trim and light

CONS

  • No USB-A or Ethernet ports
  • Balky touchpad
  • ECC memory not available
  • Expensive

SPECS

Laptop Class Workstation, Business
Processor Intel Core i9-13900H
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 32 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB
Secondary Drive Type SSD
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB
Screen Size 16 inches
Native Display Resolution 3840 by 2400
Touch Screen
Panel Technology OLED
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Graphics Processor Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada
Graphics Memory 16 GB
Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD) 0.87 by 13.9 by 9.5 inches
Weight 4.46 lbs
Operating System Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 13:07
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Panasonic Toughbook 40

Best Rugged Laptop

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The Panasonic Toughbook 40 is an almost indestructible, ultra-customizable 14-inch armored data carrier. It's fully rugged (as opposed to semi-rugged), which puts it in a class above semi-rugged systems like its 14-inch peers the Dell Latitude 5430 Rugged and Panasonic's own Toughbook 55 Mk2. The Toughbook 40 can take a six-foot fall and carries MIL-STD 810H, MIL-STD 461G, and IP66 ratings—it's dustproof (no dust can penetrate it) and immune to splashes and strong jets of water, though it can't survive actual immersion underwater as some smartphones can.

Who It's For

All of the ruggedization makes the Toughbook 40 heavy and expensive, of course. Expect to pay north of $4,000 for this 7-pound brute if you're buying a single laptop. But nearly everyone who buys the Toughbook 40 isn't just buying one. They're buying a fleet for a police force, line technicians, or other similar organizations, which typically means significant (and confidential) discounts. Ordinary consumers need not apply.

PROS

  • Nearly invincible and invulnerable
  • Many modular options
  • Epic runtime with second battery
  • Keyboard and touchpad don't require brute force
  • High-resolution webcam

CONS

  • Big and heavy
  • Pentagon-style price tag
  • Wi-Fi 6, not 6E

SPECS

Laptop Class Rugged
Processor Intel Core i7-1185G7
Processor Speed 3 GHz
RAM (as Tested) 64 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 14 inches
Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology IPS
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD) 2.1 by 13.9 by 11.9 inches
Weight 7.4 lbs
Operating System Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 27:24

Framework Laptop 13 (2023)

Best Repairable and Upgradable Laptop

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

While we do still call the HP Pavilion Plus 14 "one of the best deals for a Windows laptop right now," the latest 13-inch Framework Laptop seriously challenges that. With a competitive entry-level price, the Framework promises more customizability, repairability, and upgradability than any laptop on the market today. However, even better is that upgrading an earlier Framework Laptop to the new 13th Gen Intel processor alone costs less than half the full laptop price. Not only is this an incredible value, but it's a dream many have had for years finally come to fruition: laptops that are internally fixable and upgradable beyond more than just a few components.

Who It's For

If you're sick of "upgrading" your laptop by buying a brand-new model every few years, the Framework Laptop 13 shows major promise. With almost every part on the laptop being user-replaceable, the Framework Laptop 13 isn't just a laptop but an investment into a platform that can improve over time within the same shell—no more throwing out an old laptop every few years. If you're particularly nervous about fiddling with the insides of a computer, check out our reviews and see if this is outside your comfort zone. But if not, this is a unique prospect for sustainability-minded laptop shoppers.

PROS

  • Repairable, upgradable, and user-friendly design
  • Lightweight and portable, with 11-hour battery life
  • Swappable ports enable extreme customization
  • Expanded ecosystem of parts and accessories
  • Highly customizable before checkout

CONS

  • Expansion cards cost extra
  • Pre-built system comes at a premium
  • No touch-screen or OLED options (yet)

SPECS

Laptop Class Ultraportable
Processor Intel Core i7-1360P
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested) 16 GB
Boot Drive Type SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size 13.5 inches
Native Display Resolution 2256 by 1504
Touch Screen
Panel Technology IPS
Variable Refresh Support None
Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD) 0.62 by 11.7 by 9 inches
Weight 2.9 lbs
Operating System Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 11:12

Buying a laptop by looking at specs alone can be maddening. Which specific features, and which laptop class, are best for you depends on your budget and how you plan to use your laptop. It’s better to take a systematic approach when shopping. Let’s run through how to make a smart pick. 


How Much Will the Right Laptop Cost?

Don’t care about cutting-edge design and powerful components? You might be satisfied with a cheap laptop. Today’s market is flooded with basic but full-featured models with list prices under $500. "Shopping holidays" like Prime Day and Black Friday, and actual holidays like Presidents’ Day, bring frequent sales, discounting some of these models even further.

Most of them will handle word processing and e-mail checking just fine, but they’ll struggle with heavier tasks, such as keeping many web browser tabs, or memory- and CPU-demanding programs, open at once. You'll want to look at our reviews to compare performance. PC Labs has tested many of the latest budget laptop models across the market; some of them are classic clamshells, and others are convertible or detachable 2-in-1s. (We've detailed a couple of our top cheap-laptop picks in our lineup of favorites above.)

Increasing your budget to around $1,000 will unlock access to nearly all of the cutting-edge features modern laptops offer. These include slim, sturdy aluminum chassis, brilliant touch-enabled 4K displays, powerful processors and graphics chips, and batteries that will last all day and well into the night. We're increasingly seeing laptops bring these features down closer to the $800 range, as well, in some models from brands like Acer, Asus, and HP.

The major caveat in this price range is that you’ll have to pick and choose which features are most important. You might be able to land a laptop with a beautiful 4K display or a cavernous terabyte of solid-state storage at this price, but probably not one with both. 

If your piggybank has $2,000 or more, you can choose almost any combination of features you want. Even the most powerful laptop that money can buy, though, must still obey the laws of physics. Powerful hardware generates heat, and the cooling mechanisms that such components require take up space. Hardcore gamers who want a large display and a screaming-fast graphics processor that requires bulky cooling pipes and fans can’t expect to find it in a thin, light laptop. 

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED
(Credit: Molly Flores)

IT-manageable, security-conscious business laptops—models made primarily by Dell, HP, and Lenovo—have their own pricing dynamic, and they tend to cost a bit more, all else being equal. That’s because of their premium warranty or support plans, enterprise-specific silicon focused on manageability or security, fingerprint or face-recognition login features, and more rugged build quality.


Windows vs. ChromeOS vs. macOS: Which Operating System to Get?

Most laptops you’ll run across in-store or at your favorite online seller will run Windows 11 (unless the seller is named “Apple”), but Microsoft’s best-known product isn’t necessarily the best operating system for everyone. Thanks to the ascendance in recent years of Google’s ChromeOS up the ranks of budget laptops, you now have an alternative to Windows at every price level. The tipping point for non-Windows laptops is around $1,000; above a grand, your main alternative to a Windows machine is a MacBook; below it, it’s a Chromebook.

Apple's macOS versus Microsoft's Windows 11
(Credit: Jose Ruiz)

Today, laptops based on ChromeOS are the primary alternatives to budget-priced Windows laptops. A Chromebook could be a fine, value-minded choice for someone who needs a laptop just to watch movies, create text documents, write emails, and putter around in basic spreadsheets. With a Chromebook, the main features you will really need from your laptop are a decent screen and a comfortable keyboard, since cloud services like Google Drive can handle most of your storage and processing needs. And, if you still insist on key creature comforts, you can find midrange Chromebooks with full-HD (1080p) displays and comfortable keyboards just as easily as you can find bargain-basement ones these days. Indeed, Google's Chromebook Plus program sets a level for impressive-quality Chromebooks at near-budget prices.

PC Labs has tested Chromebooks all across the market, including clamshell models, convertibles, and even a few detachable 2-in-1 Chrome tablets. (We've detailed our top Chromebook pick in our lineup of favorites above.)

For people with similar needs but larger budgets, an Apple MacBook might be the way to go, assuming you’re cool with running your day-to-day computing life on macOS. You won’t find a “cheap” MacBook anywhere in the Apple family, but you will find unmatched industrial design, universally excellent battery life, and a ton of built-in apps to manage your multimedia collection and sync with your iCloud account and the rest of your Apple devices. 

Higher-end MacBook Pros also suit content creators, with the option for a 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display and for CPUs up to Apple's own M3 Max. One of the most significant Mac-laptop drawbacks is a total lack of touch-screen support, which is an option in various ChromeOS and Windows machines.  

Apple MacBook Air 2022
(Credit: Molly Flores)

A Windows-based machine affords access to the widest range of software, including most AAA games; the subset of popular, first-rank game titles is much smaller on macOS, and games on ChromeOS are limited to what runs in a browser or what you can download as an Android app or from the Chrome Web Store. A Windows machine also drives the most form-factor flexibility. A few Chromebooks have designs built around detachable or foldable keyboards, letting you use them as tablets, but Windows offers a far broader selection of these flexible physical designs. 

In fact, the vast number of Windows devices means Microsoft’s OS gives you the most flexibility in choosing a laptop, period. Most of the rest of your buying decisions, which we’ll address below, are therefore relevant mainly to Windows machines. (We’ll be sure to note when Macs or Chromebooks offer a certain feature as well, however.)


What Is an Ideal Weight and Size for a Laptop?

Most people searching for a general-purpose laptop should choose one that measures about half an inch thick and weighs 3 pounds or less. In general, these are the maximum dimensions and heft a laptop can have for us to consider it an ultraportable, and for most users, portability is the key to maximizing use and enjoyment.

Aiming for that weight and thickness, in most cases, will limit the laptop’s screen size to 13 or 14 inches, although a few models with 15-inch or larger screens now fit into the ultraportable category. At most of these screen sizes, you can find models in either the conventional “clamshell” laptop shape or a 2-in-1 convertible design. The latter has a hinge that rotates the screen 360 degrees so you can use it as a makeshift tablet or prop it up like a tent for watching movies. 

Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
(Credit: Molly Flores)

Some Windows and ChromeOS laptops do have smaller displays, such as 10 or 11 inches. Some of these are not technically laptops in the pure sense, but rather tablets with detachable keyboards. Unless you’re specifically looking for a part-time tablet or the lightest possible laptop, avoid these designs. They’re lighter than most 13-inch ultraportables, often less than 2 pounds, but they’re not as effective at being tablets as the Apple iPad is, and their detachable keyboards mean they’re not much better at being laptops, either—typing on most of them tends to be subpar.

At the other end of the size spectrum are 17-inch laptops. They mostly appeal to hardcore gamers, but you can find the occasional 17-inch productivity machine or workstation if you happen to like a larger screen for other reasons. A 17-inch laptop can closely mimic the experience of a desktop, at the expense of size and weight.

Some of these designs can exceed 8 pounds and measure more than an inch thick. If you plan to park your gaming rig on your desk and seldom move it, a 17-incher is a possibility. Otherwise, most gamers should stick with a 15-inch laptop.

However, mobile PC gamers have even bigger options now: 18-inch machines. The larger panels complement the latest GeForce and Radeon GPUs, which make use of the extra chassis space for cooling. These monsters from Alienware, Asus, and Razer (geared toward gaming) tackle the hardest graphics tasks to date to varying effects.


What Kind of Laptop Screen Should You Get?

Laptop screens have grown denser over the past decade, packing more pixels into the same area. That enables crisper text, sharper onscreen images, and, often, better-looking colors. Display density is sometimes measured in pixels per inch (ppi), but the main specification that defines a laptop screen is its native resolution, which is expressed in horizontal by vertical pixels.

Most laptops that cost $500 or more have screens with at least “full HD” resolutions. Also known as “1080p” displays, they sport a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels (or in a few cases, 1,920 by 1,200) and typically employ LCD panels built on what’s known as in-plane switching (IPS) technology. IPS screens’ quality can vary, but they are best known for keeping the quality of the image high if you look at the screen from an oblique, or off-side, angle. Thin-film transistor (TFT), the other major screen type in modern laptops (and the kind often found in gaming-geared models), tends to shift colors or look faded if not viewed straight-on. That matters if you often share the contents of your screen with others—say, when giving impromptu presentations.

Dell XPS 15 2023
(Credit: Molly Flores)

Cheap Windows- and ChromeOS-based laptops will usually have lower-resolution thin-film transistor (TFT) displays (1,280 by 720 pixels and 1,366 by 768 are the common numbers there), which means text won’t appear as crisp and colors might not be as vivid as you’ve come to expect from your smartphone or TV. If you’re not picky about image quality, though, a lower-resolution display might be an acceptable sacrifice in the quest to save money.

For the crispest text and most brilliant colors, you can go higher than full HD. Many high-end laptops now have displays with 4K native resolution (generally 3,840 by 2,160 pixels) as standard or optional extras. These screens mostly use the same IPS technology as full HD panels, but a few use OLED technology, similar to what you’ll find in cutting-edge smartphones. OLED screens command a premium, and their inky blacks and luxurious colors are best suited for movie buffs. Some laptops, particularly from Apple, Dell, and Razer, have moved to mini LED backlighting technology that introduces finer control over color depth and image brightness, especially boosting HDR content.

Whether the screen is OLED, IPS, or TFT, people who plan to use their laptops in brightly lit rooms or outdoors will want to make sure that the panel has a maximum brightness level of at least 500 nits.


Is a Laptop Touch Screen Necessary?

To take advantage of the touch-screen support present throughout Windows and ChromeOS, you’ll want to seek out a touch-enabled laptop, and perhaps even a digital stylus to write or draw on it. Some Windows laptops come in both touch- and non-touch versions, so check the specifications on what you’re buying carefully. Glossy screens typically feature touch support, while most matte screens designed to filter out glare from ambient lighting do not.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9
(Credit: Molly Flores)

Since many gaming laptops have matte displays, touch support is much harder to find among their ranks.  Many gaming laptops above budget-level do offer high-refresh-rate screens, though. Hardcore gamers or esports hounds who are looking for silky-smooth visuals to give them a competitive edge will want to maximize the number of frames per second that their screen can display, and can do so by opting for a screen with a 120Hz or greater refresh rate.

However, before you pay a major premium for a high-refresh screen, you’ll want to be sure that the graphics chip, or GPU, is muscular enough to push the kinds of games you play at a high enough frame rate to make a difference. Standard laptop screens have 60Hz refresh rates, and if you’ll be playing games at 60 frames per second or lower, in most cases a high-refresh screen won’t confer many benefits.


What Is the Best Processor for Your Laptop?

Most $1,000 ultraportables use Intel Core processors, or, less commonly, AMD Ryzen CPUs. All of these offer plenty of power for everyday computing tasks but keep in mind that higher CPU model numbers typically indicate more processor cores, higher maximum clock speeds, and sometimes even multithreading. With multithreading, each CPU core can run two sets of software instructions simultaneously, instead of just one. Modern software is designed to take advantage of as many CPU cores as possible, so it can run faster on multithreaded chips. 

Meanwhile, budget laptops typically use AMD A-series or Ryzen 3 processors, or Celeron, Core i3, or Pentium chips in Intel's case. These typically have just two or four individual cores. At the other end of the spectrum, high-end powerhouse laptops have workstation-class Intel or AMD CPUs with double-digit core counts.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8
(Credit: Molly Flores)

Regardless of which CPU a laptop has, it’s typically designed to use less power and generate less heat than its desktop counterpart. Intel laptop CPUs in the latest mainstream, lightweight laptops typically consume 15 watts (W) of power or less to as much as 45W for the highest-end mobile tasks.

Gaming laptops and mobile workstations typically feature higher-powered CPUs, usually denoted by an "H" in the CPU's model name. These require more cooling hardware and consume more energy, but they drive performance that's closer to that of a desktop PC. You’ll find H-series CPUs from both AMD and Intel.

As for Apple it's in its third generation of M-series silicon for Macs. Today's MacBook Air models come with M2 chips, whereas the MacBook Pro line is now on the latest run of Apple silicon, dubbed M3.

Getting into laptop-processor specifics can get you pretty deep in the weeds, but for a decent overview that doesn't overwhelm you, check out our guide to choosing a laptop CPU that fits what you do.


Which Graphics Chip Should You Get in Your Laptop?

A graphics processor that’s built into the CPU (also known as an “integrated graphics processor,” or IGP) is perfectly adequate for most everyday laptop use. You’ll know you’re looking at an IGP if you see a reference to Intel’s HD Graphics, UHD Graphics, or Iris as the graphics solution on an Intel-CPU laptop (or Radeon Graphics on an AMD-based laptop). An IGP shares the CPU’s processor cores, memory, or both. The amount of memory available to the integrated graphics chip is usually fixed, so increasing the amount of system memory won’t result in better graphics performance. 

Most gamers will want to consider a discrete GPU with its own dedicated computing resources. Even a budget gaming GPU will offer an immense advantage over an integrated graphics processor when it comes to playing 3D games. (Note that some laptops will come with low-end dedicated graphics solutions like the GeForce MX series that are a notch up from IGPs but not meant for serious gaming.) At the high end, hardcore gamers should look for Nvidia’s latest GeForce RTX GPUs. 

With gaming laptops, the level of GPU you need is deeply tied to the frame rate you want to run at the laptop’s native screen resolution, and the kind of games you play. That’s where our reviews come in handy. We test with several demanding gaming and industry-standard benchmarks to give you a relative sense of a laptop’s graphics performance. Check out our roundup of favorite late-model gaming machines and best budget gaming laptops for much more. PC Labs has tested all of the latest gaming laptops across the market, from budget models to cost-no-object deluxe ones. We've also detailed our top picks in three categories (budget, mainstream, and high-end) in our lineup of favorites above.


How Much Storage and Memory Does Your Laptop Need?

Most laptops above entry-level come with solid-state drives (SSDs), which use memory cells instead of a spinning platter (the classic hard drive) to store data. Since information stored in cells is much faster to access, SSDs are the best and most common drive configuration. They’re also immune to jolts and bumps that might crash a spinning platter’s heads.

Some laptops‚ especially larger-chassis ones designed for gaming, come with both kinds of drive: a small SSD to hold the operating system, essential apps, and a few games, and a larger spinning one to store the bulk of your game files or other space-consuming media. That’s a perfectly fine option if you’re looking to save some money or simply need the maximum possible local storage amount, but you should stick with an SSD-only setup whenever possible. 

Note that not all laptop SSDs are created equal. SSDs that use the more modern, generally faster PCI Express NVMe standard, as opposed to the older, slightly slower SATA interface, are preferable. (PCI Express SSDs are slowly taking over the field, in any case.) Either of these, however, is far better than a third type, which is a not-quite-SSD: the much slower eMMC, a kind of flash storage drive found in budget machines. (If your budget laptop has 32GB, 64GB, or possibly 128GB of local storage, it is probably using eMMC.) All of them are better than a traditional spinning hard drive unless you simply need sheer capacity for the least money. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (2023)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The minimum amount of storage space most laptop shoppers should consider is 256GB. This will accommodate the considerable requirements of operating system updates and large apps like Microsoft Office with room left over. People who have sizable collections of videos, photos, or music (or any but the most casual of PC gamers) should seek out a minimum of 512GB. At the high end, you’ll find laptops configurable with 1TB or even roomier SSDs, and these will sound exciting. But beware that the absolute highest capacities can cause a laptop’s price to skyrocket—a 4TB SSD can add thousands of dollars to the overall price of a high-end laptop. It’s more cost-effective to get a 512GB SSD and add an external drive if you need additional space. 

While a laptop’s SSD stores your data, its system memory (or RAM) works with the CPU to run apps and helps define its capacity to multitask. Basic productivity apps will run just fine with 8GB of memory, but you’ll want to configure a midrange laptop with 16GB to ensure that tomorrow’s more advanced apps will have access to enough memory. That’s also a decent target amount for heavy multitaskers, PC gamers, and people who surf the web with many tabs open. Modern web browsers loading multimedia-rich sites and web apps are voracious consumers of memory. 

Few people who aren’t professional or prosumer content creators will see much additive benefit from memory amounts above 16GB. On the flip side of that, a budget Windows system with just 4GB of memory will be sluggish with multitasking and is generally indicative of a bare-bones configuration. The same is true of Chromebooks—although ChromeOS is designed to demand fewer computing resources than Windows does, if you’re prone to performing memory-intensive tasks like browsing with dozens of tabs open at once, 4GB can be limiting. 


What Kind of Connectivity Does Your Laptop Need?

If you plan to use your laptop’s touchpad, touch screen, and keyboard as the primary means of control, most of the time you may never need to plug in anything other than the power cord. In this case, you’ll rely on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections that almost every laptop offers.

The latest mainstream Wi-Fi standard is 802.11ax (also dubbed “Wi-Fi 6”) and it’s an important feature to look for in a laptop to ensure fast Wi-Fi connectivity in the future. Steer clear of the older 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), though, as it’s now being phased out, with the highest-end Wi-Fi 6E standard appearing in more premium laptop options.

Dell XPS 15 9530
(Credit: Molly Flores)

Serious gamers might want to opt for a machine with a Killer Networks setup. It will allow for more granular control over giving wired or wireless gaming traffic priority on your internet connection. Business users and gamers may also want a dedicated Ethernet jack. Most gaming machines will have one, and some gamers insist wired Ethernet is still the only way to go for competitive online gaming. Some laptops implement Ethernet as a full-size or fold-out jack; others may come with an adapter in the box that routes Ethernet through a USB port. And still, others come with neither, leaving wired Ethernet up to you to add via a dongle if you want it.

Apple MacBook Air 2022
(Credit: Molly Flores)

As for other physical connections, you’ll want to examine the edges of a given laptop carefully and take count. If you have an external storage device like a thumb drive, you’ll want to pay attention to the type and quantity of USB ports. Look for laptops that have both USB Type-A and Type-C ports. Type-A is the familiar rectangular connector that has been around for decades, while Type-C is smaller, oval-shaped, and sometimes doubles as a receptacle for the laptop’s charging cable.

Budget laptops may only have Type-A ports, which is a disadvantage in an increasingly Type-C world. On the other hand, some ultra-thin designs only have Type-C ports, which means you’ll need dongles to connect any Type-A peripherals you might already own.

Gigabyte Aorus 15 BMF
(Credit: Molly Flores)

If video output matters to you, check for a dedicated port like an HDMI connector, especially if you plan to connect your laptop to your TV, desktop monitor, or lecture hall A/V system. Sometimes video outputs are implemented on laptops as micro HDMI or mini DisplayPort connectors to save space. You’ll need a special cable to use these, which may or may not be included in the box.

Photographers will benefit from a built-in SD or microSD card reader for more convenient image uploading. And if you plan to use your laptop in a public, unsecured location, a security notch for fastening a physical locking cable is helpful. These fall into two types, the Kensington-cable style and the Noble-lock style. Make sure the notch type matches the kind of cable you intend to use to tether the machine to an immovable object.


Which Laptops Have the Best Battery Life?

Many laptops can last an entire day away from the power outlet, even when you’re using them for demanding but common activities like streaming internet video. You'll find exceptions; a laptop with a 4K display and a powerful CPU probably will not last for more than 8 hours or so before its battery dies, and most gaming laptops die far sooner. When you’re playing demanding games that tax the GPU, gaming laptops tend to run out of juice even more quickly off the plug than they normally do. You’ll find more than a few exceptions, though, and even powerful laptops have become adept at sensing when their maximum power isn’t required and reducing various components’ consumption.

This is where PC Labs’ battery testing comes in. We evaluate battery life by playing a locally stored video file nonstop with no wireless connections active and 50% screen brightness. An excellent result on our test suggests that the laptop is adept at adapting its power use to the task at hand, and you can use the results to compare the potential of the machines you are considering. We evaluate all laptops using this test, and at the preceding link, you can see an extended summary of the best performers on our battery test.

Measuring battery life is notoriously tricky, though, since it’s entirely dependent on how you use your laptop. Your usage profile probably doesn’t match our test—or anyone else’s—to a T. So you’ll want to look at tested battery life in a relative, rather than absolute, sense.


Are Refurbished Laptops Worth Buying?

Every manufacturer and reseller has different standards for refurbishing previously used laptops. A slight discount on a rigorously tested MacBook Pro that Apple sells with the same warranty as a new one might be worth the cost savings, while a laptop refurbished by a third party you’ve never heard of could be chancy. It’s best to buy any refurbished machine directly from the manufacturer’s online store as opposed to from a reseller, especially a reseller that may be hawking refurbs from “marketplace" sellers or third parties on its platform.

Some of these resellers or their third parties will rate their refurbished stock with a grade. (It pays to ask who has done the refurbishing—the manufacturer itself, or the reseller.) We’ve seen refurbished laptops being sold and rated with grades of A, B+, B, C, and so on, to reflect the relative amount of wear and tear on the machine. No universal grading system for refurbished PCs exists, however. It’s generally up to the reseller what the grade means, and thus it can vary from seller to seller. We’re wary of machines graded this way and strongly recommend insisting on an ironclad return policy in the case of purchases like these if you decide to roll the dice. You could end up pleasantly surprised, but usually, a refurbished-laptop deal that looks too good to be true...is. 

What is almost universally true is that with a bit of tech know-how, you can use your own pre-owned laptops to your advantage. If you’re in the market for new laptops for both yourself and your kids, you might consider tuning up your current PC to give to your children and buying a new one for yourself.


Should You Get a Longer Laptop Warranty?

Most laptop makers offer one-year warranties on parts and labor. These standard plans are limited, so they won't cover accidents that stem from spilling a drink on the keyboard or dropping the system on the sidewalk. Fortunately, your credit card issuer likely covers such mishaps for a short period of time after you buy a new product, and it also may extend the manufacturer's warranty. (Many Mastercard accounts include a doubling of the standard warranty period up to one year, for example.) Check your account benefits guide for details.

If your credit card issuer doesn’t cover you, some laptop makers will happily sell you extended warranties. Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo all offer wide ranges of extended warranties and coverage for accidental damage. Expect to spend $100 to $300 for these options. Our rule of thumb is that if a warranty costs more than 15% of the laptop's purchase price, you're better off spending the money on backup drives or services that minimize downtime.

Of course, you can't put a price tag on peace of mind. You'll encounter instances when the logic board or the display—the most expensive parts of a laptop—fail, and while rare, such a catastrophe can cost you half of what the laptop is worth in repair costs.


So, What Is the Best Laptop to Buy...for You?

Shopping for a laptop is an exercise in patience. An ultra-competitive market means that even if you’ve got specific requirements, you can almost certainly find a handful of excellent models that will meet them, and another handful of perfectly serviceable but ho-hum models that will, too. Now that you know which specifications to look for, we hope that parsing the good from the bad will be much easier. We update our top picks frequently, and you can find our current favorite laptops below. 

Our Picks
HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2023, AMD)
See It
$549.99
at HP
Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
See It
$1,198.99
at Amazon
Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)
See It
$299.99
at Amazon
Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420)
See It
$1,099.99
at Amazon
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
See It
$559.99
at Amazon
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (2023)
See It
$1,433.99
at Lenovo
Dell XPS 15 (9530) (2023)
See It
$2,849.00
at Dell
Apple MacBook Pro 16-Inch (2023, M3 Max)
See It
$2,299.00
at Amazon
HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)
See It
$1,969.99
at HP
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel)
See It
$838.00
at Amazon
Gigabyte Aorus 15 BMF
Check Stock
$949.99
at Best Buy
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8
See It
$2,149.00
at B&H Photo Video
Dell Precision 5680
See It
$2,349.00
at Dell
Panasonic Toughbook 40
See It
$4,399.99
at Amazon
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
See It
$1,049.00
at Framework
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Laptop Class
Ultraportable Ultraportable Budget Ultraportable Chromebook, Budget Business, Ultraportable Desktop Replacement Workstation, Desktop Replacement Convertible 2-in-1, Ultraportable Detachable 2-in-1 Gaming Gaming Workstation, Business Rugged Ultraportable
Processor
AMD Ryzen 7 7840U Apple M2 AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Intel Core i7-13700H Intel Core i3-1215U Intel Core i7-1355U Intel Core i7-13700H Apple M3 Max Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Intel Core i7-1255U Intel Core i5-13500H Intel Core i9-13900HX Intel Core i9-13900H Intel Core i7-1185G7 Intel Core i7-1360P
Processor Speed
3.3 GHz 2.4 GHz 3 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB 16 GB 8 GB 16 GB 8 GB 16 GB 32 GB 128 GB 32 GB 16 GB 8 GB 32 GB 32 GB 64 GB 16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD SSD SSD SSD UFS (Universal Flash Storage) SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB 1 TB 128 GB 512 GB 128 GB 512 GB 1 TB 8 TB 2 TB 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB 512 GB 1 TB 512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
SSD
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches 13.6 inches 15.6 inches 14.5 inches 14 inches 14 inches 15.6 inches 16.2 inches 14 inches 13 inches 15.6 inches 16 inches 16 inches 14 inches 13.5 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800 2560 by 1664 1920 by 1080 2880 by 1800 1920 by 1080 1920 by 1200 3456 by 2160 3456 by 2234 2880 by 1800 2880 by 1920 1920 by 1080 2560 by 1600 3840 by 2400 1920 by 1080 2256 by 1504
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
OLED IPS IPS OLED IPS IPS OLED Mini LED OLED IPS IPS IPS OLED IPS IPS
Variable Refresh Support
FreeSync None None None None None None ProMotion Dynamic None None G-Sync None None None
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz 120 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz 120 Hz 120 Hz 120 Hz 144 Hz 240 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon 780M Graphics Apple M2 AMD Radeon Graphics Intel Iris Xe Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU Apple M3 Max (40-core GPU) Intel Arc Graphics Intel Iris Xe Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
8 GB 6 GB 12 GB 16 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.2 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.74 by 12.4 by 8.9 inches 0.44 by 11.97 by 8.46 inches 0.75 by 14.3 by 9.4 inches 0.67 by 12.7 by 8.9 inches 0.73 by 12.9 by 8.4 inches 0.6 by 12.4 by 8.8 inches 0.71 by 13.6 by 9.1 inches 0.66 by 14 by 9.8 inches 0.67 by 12.4 by 8.7 inches 0.37 by 11.3 by 8.2 inches 0.82 by 14.2 by 10.7 inches 1 by 14.3 by 10.3 inches 0.87 by 13.9 by 9.5 inches 2.1 by 13.9 by 11.9 inches 0.62 by 11.7 by 9 inches
Weight
3.04 lbs 2.7 lbs 3.77 lbs 3.44 lbs 3.17 lbs 2.48 lbs 4.2 lbs 4.8 lbs 3.19 lbs 1.9 lbs 5.25 lbs 6.1 pounds 4.46 lbs 7.4 lbs 2.9 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home Apple macOS Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Chrome OS Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Apple macOS Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
14:16 12:55 16:46 11:45 12:46 12:50 14:03 27:53 18:03 13:12 7:10 6:13 13:07 27:24 11:12
Where to Buy
$549.99
at HP
 
$999.00
at Amazon
 
$1,198.99
at Amazon
 
$899.00
at Best Buy
 
$299.99
at Amazon
 
$329.99
at Best Buy
 
$1,099.99
at Amazon
 
$999.99
at Best Buy
 
$559.99
at Amazon
 
$399.00
at Best Buy
 
$1,433.99
at Lenovo
 
$2,849.00
at Dell
 
$2,299.00
at Amazon
 
$3,999.00
at Apple.com
 
$1,969.99
at HP
 
$838.00
at Amazon
 
$999.99
at Microsoft Store
 
$949.99
at Best Buy
 
$953.00
at Walmart
 
$2,149.00
at B&H Photo Video
 
$1,899.99
at Lenovo
 
$2,349.00
at Dell
 
$4,399.99
at Amazon
 
$4,899.00
at Panasonic
 
$1,049.00
at Framework
 

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About Tom Brant

Deputy Managing Editor

I’m the deputy managing editor of the hardware team at PCMag.com. Reading this during the day? Then you've caught me testing gear and editing reviews of laptops, desktop PCs, and tons of other personal tech. (Reading this at night? Then I’m probably dreaming about all those cool products.) I’ve covered the consumer tech world as an editor, reporter, and analyst since 2015.

I’ve evaluated the performance, value, and features of hundreds of personal tech devices and services, from laptops to Wi-Fi hotspots and everything in between. I’ve also covered the launches of dozens of groundbreaking technologies, from hyperloop test tracks in the desert to the latest silicon from Apple and Intel.

I've appeared on CBS News, in USA Today, and at many other outlets to offer analysis on breaking technology news.

Before I joined the tech-journalism ranks, I wrote on topics as diverse as Borneo's rain forests, Middle Eastern airlines, and Big Data's role in presidential elections. A graduate of Middlebury College, I also have a master's degree in journalism and French Studies from New York University.

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About Joe Osborne

Deputy Managing Editor, Hardware

After starting my career at PCMag as an intern more than a decade ago, I’m back as one of its editors, focused on laptops and desktops. I have been on staff and been published in technology review publications including PCMag (of course!), Laptop Magazine, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, and IGN. I’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of laptops along the way, and helped develop testing protocols, too. I’m also well-versed in video games coverage.

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